If I could go anywhere in Europe in March, I would go to...

Hello Elizabeth. If you want to go to Europe, a country that has a pleasant climate in March is ITALY. And Italy probably does not have huge crowds of tourists from the U.S.A. in March. Read about the Cinque Terre (in Liguria) in the book "Rick Steves' ITALY 2007". The Cinque Terre villages are located not very far from the hill town Lucca.

Sicily.

somewhere warm

South of Italy or Greece

You didn't say you wanted warm weather, so my suggestion would be Ireland or northern Spain. I've traveled in Ireland twice in February and found it really great at that time -- no crowds, mostly good weather (actually warmer than you might think).

Italy or Greece.

Southern Spain....still relatively inexpensive, and lots of activities. Base yourself out of the Malaga area, and range up and down the coast...to Gibraltar, Tangiers, Granada, and Sevilla, among others, all within a day-trip's range, altho Sevilla would be best if you stayed over one night. I know Rick ridicules the Costa del Sol, but we love all the activity, and having many people speak English sure doesn't hurt! Find the cheapest ticket into just about any British or Irish airport, Paris, or Brussels, and you can find a discount flight from there to Malaga direct. Lots of places to rent cheaply for a week. Temperatures in the low to mid-60's during the winter...some rain, but it usually clears off quickly.

Just this past March we flew to Munich for 4 nights which was very nice and fun. It was cool - even some snow flurries which was great and also some sunshine! There is a lot to see in Munich (including an easy daytrip to Salzburg) and there were NOT a lot of tourists. After 3 nights we flew to Venice on Air Dolomiti for 4 nights - what a blast. Again, no major hordes of tourists, cool sunshine weather. We went ALL OVER Venice and out to Murano and Burano. Then flew back to Munich for 1 night before flying home. I wholeheartedly recommend March!

Barcelona. Won't be warm per se, but shouldn't be cold either -- probably pretty temperate. Nice town to walk in, lots of parks, waterfront, etc. Also, if you can rent a car and drive a little ways out of town, there's a monastery up in the mountains NW of the city called Montserrat. They have lodging and the hiking is great -- take a funicular up the side of a mountain and hike around the rocky terrain. Good views.

Elizabeth, as someone who lives less than 10 miles from you in WBL, I would go to Greece and Turkey or south central Spain. As you know a dirty little secret that most Minnesotans keep is that we HATE the unbearably hot weather. Most of us think that we'd be able to handle a summer in Louisiana because we are hearty enough to handle January in Minnesota. But the truth is that we would wilt. In March Turkey, Greece and Spain can be pleasantly warm without being so disgustingly hot. March is the best time of year to be in traditionally hot places.

A few years ago, I spent two weeks in Tuscany & Umbria during March. It was nicely warm during the day & cool in the evening. Perfect weather & absolutely beautiful.

Any of the Tuscan hill towns, or an agriturismo in the valleys.

Canary Islands (part of Spain)?

March is apt to be rainy and windy in all of Europe. Check out www.weatherbase.com

France has national parks and many caves. Well, caves are not outside, but ....
What about Alps?

Paris - we visited this past March for the Paris in 7 Days City tour and had the most fantastic weather - sunshine and temperatures in the 70's, until the day we left when it turned cool and wet.

There are so many parks and sites to see plus a tour on the Seine. You could also take the TGV south to Provence or Nice if time permits.

Bon Voyage!!

Portugal. And spend most of your time outside of Lisbon

We have been to the UK more than 40 times, but I haven't been in the spring. I'd love to go in March! The gardens would be marvelous and crowds smaller. With Minnesota's weather, the UK would be a cake walk for you.

I spent a March week in London a couple of years ago - it snowed! It was the middle of March & while it snowed a couple of nights, the days were fairly pleasant and it didn't rain (except it DID drizzle the day we went to the London Eye - not good for visibility - luckily I'd been before). We had a wonderful time, the tourist crowds didn't seem to be as bad & while nothing was really blooming yet, it was pretty & green.

Paris ! I never get tired of going back. And have been there twice in March.

You also have the opportunity for Museums/sights if the weather does not cooperate.

I will go to the England any time. I love Paris but I'm in love with London.

Amsterdam or Florence. We visited both in late March-early April of '06.
We liked Amsterdam so much we are going back this spring--late March.
Florence was lovely--would love to go back!

England to go to the National Hunt Festival in Cheltenham. The most exciting activity in England for me is going to the horse races, and this 4 day festival(March 11-14) in the beautiful Cotswold town of Cheltenham can't be beat.

I was in Paris and London in the MIDDLE of March this year. Its snowed in London. They said it was strange weather as they had a mild winter and then time I chose to go to London it snowed. It dropped down into the 30's while I was there and I thought I was going to freeze my behind off when I was at Stonehenge... The photos are kinda funny now. I had on so many layers of clothes, I looked like the Michelen (sp?) man!!!! In Paris it was just as cold and it rained the whole time. And not just regular rain - sideways rain with a lot of wind. (Just picture yourself holding your umbrella sideways to keep the rain out of your face...) I would go to Italy. (Dont get me wrong - I LOVE Paris and London.)

I would go back to the Amalfi Coast

Spain Spain and Spain

My husband and I are taking our 13 year old son to France in March 16 until April 8th 2008. We stay in Villefranche sur Mer for two weeks and will visit the surrounding area and Italy. We are hoping to book with Vueling for a cheap flight from Nice to Barcelona for five days and then fly to Paris for the remaining five days. We went to Portugal/Spain for three weeks this past Christmas. The weather was warmer than even our west coast in Canada plus crowds are at their lowest. We literally walked into the Sevilla Cathedral, Sintra Palace and the National Palace in Sintra without one lineup. You won't regret going to Europe in the Spring! We live on Vancouver Island where it rains a lot! Rain shouldn't stop you from doing anything. Take a good waterproof jacket and umbrella and enjoy!

I've been to Paris, the South of France, down through Italy to Capri in March and all were nice. Paris was cool and rainy, but no where near the Canadian March temps I'm used to.
And in Nice and Florence we found it so nice we wore capris and sandals.

England is so wonderful in the spring. All the gardens in bloom. London has so much that your son would enjoy.

We went to Italy the last two weeks of March and the weather was gorgeous! Short sleeve weather during the day, light jacket at night...